Just a quick thanks for the reviews to LegolasLover2003, Ninfea di luna and DaHybridQueen. Glad you've stuck with me guys.
Also thanks to all those of you still reading but haven't left comments. Go on. You know you want to!
This chapters a little longer than the last Ninfea!
Let me know what you think.
CHAPTER 41
Pain once again threatens to shatter the dark peace and I do not know how to hold on any more. I taste salt and realise it must be from tears I can not feel making their way down cheeks I only faintly remember. "Saes" I beg into the dark "Please" and I know there is no one to hear. I am alone. Floating in a sea of fractured light with no guide. A sigh of air brushes my face almost like a caress and for a moment I feel hope kindle a small flame inside but I can not bear to let it burn only to watch it dwindle and die again, leaving behind the wisp of smoke as insubstantial as a ghost, so refuse to let it catch.
"'Roh!" The young man hears the name called but there is no recognition in the dark eyes before him and feeling the tickle of moisture running down his neck, he steels himself for what is to come "'Roh!" the name is repeated, more urgently and sounds closer. Out of the corner of his eye he spots movement but dare not look away from the stormy gaze holding him captive and he wills himself to stay still whilst his eyes plead for his brother to lower his sword.
Elladan calls out his brothers name, desperately trying to break the battle fever holding his twin in its tight grip, hoping he can get through before it is too late. He watches as Estels eyes widen into huge saucers and realises he is running out of time if he wishes to save the young man. Looking down at the, male kneeling, shaking with terror, in the dirt at his feet, he raises his own sword. Then in one fluid movement flips it, brings the hilt down hard on the mans temple, steps over him as he crumples, insensate to the floor ,then rushes over to the pair and in a move without elegance or style, barrels into Estel, pushing him away from the poised blade and placing his own body between those of his siblings.
Grey eyes suddenly morph into brown, for a confused moment Elrohir is standing staring in front of a mirror, then reality comes sweeping back in and his head rocks back as if hit with a physical slap. "Dan" he almost snarls at his brother "what?" he looks around as if in a daze and recognises the almost dreamlike state he feels in the aftermath of battle. Shaking his head he realises his sword is held in a tight grip pointing towards his twin and lowers the blade slowly, hearing a soft sigh of relief opposite as he does so. He stands, head down like a penitent begging forgiveness, breathing deeply to shake off the remnants of the bloodlust that has caught him up so fiercely, unable to meet his brothers eyes until he has himself back under control.
Estel cautiously scrambles to his feet, wincing at the pain he feels in his left hip where it collided with a small rock as he fell to the ground after being pushed by his brother. He eyes the two elves warily, ready to step in should the need arise but relaxes slightly when the blade dips and he hears Elladans sigh, knowing then that the other has become aware of his surroundings once more. Moving slowly he approaches the pair yet does not speak, words will come later, for now it is enough to know they are here and safe.
He turns around and sees the body of the older man who was so recently his travelling companion lying crumpled on the ground, a large crimson stain spreading from where his head should be, raking his gaze round further he spots the other male also lying motionless and he feels a sense of frustration wash over him, he had come so close to uncovering their plans. He fists his hands, wanting to lash out at the unfairness of it all. Feeling a prickling sensation on the back of his neck he looks back to his brothers to find two pairs of intense brown eyes daring him to move as they advance slowly to stand before him, expressions grim and dark, swords held deceptively lightly in front of them. Reminiscent of cats with claws ready to pounce upon a small field mouse that has dared cross their path.
"You have.." Elladans voice sounds cold and flat.
"Some explaining to do." His twin matches the tone with a coldness of his own.
"Little brother. " Raising their weapons as they finish the sentence together the young man find himself once more at the sharp end as the swords come to rest on his chest, lightly pushing on the fabric of his jerkin, just above either nipple.
"Peace, 'Dan,'Roh" he spreads his hands and looks from one to the other, his face open and trusting. "'Tis good to see you too." A small worried frown flits across his face to be replaced by a nervous smile as the pressure from the swords increase slightly and he takes an involuntary step backwards.
"I would say so if it were not for the company you have been keeping" Elladan nods towards the bloodstained body and raises an eyebrow in a fair imitation of his father. "I repeat" he raises the tip of his sword to rest just under the young mans chin, "you have much to explain."
"I would find it easier to do so if your swords were trained elsewhere" the young man meets their dark eyes with his own steely gaze and risks a slight, questioning tilt of his head.
"What say you, brother" Elladan glances at his twin. "Do we trust this vagabond and lower our weapons?"
"He looks very untrustworthy to me" Elrohir keeps his eyes locked on Estel, his face an unemotional mask. "I fear he may try to trick us if we lower our guard."
"Those thoughts are in my mind also" with a quick flick the elder twin pats the flat of his blade against the underside of the young mans jaw twice. "Never trust a Man, that is what I have heard."
"Especially one brought up by elves" a slight twinkle of mischief flickers through Elrohirs eyes and Estel can not help the smile that begins to play at the corners of his lips.
"Especially one brought up with a certain pair of noldo as role models" trying, and failing, to match their cold tone, the young man is grinning now and a laugh bursts from him at the affronted expressions his brothers assume before they too burst into laughter, lower their swords and gather him up in a warm hug.
"What have you been..."
"upto tithen pen, little one?" The twins release him and stand back once again speaking as one, resheathing their swords in unison.
"I have much to tell you" Estel looks from one to the other. "There is a plot to destroy Thranduils realm" his voice tails off as he remembers the plan Draeg had outlined then he suddenly stiffens. "Oh Valar, the elf! The orc!" his eyes widen and his head whips around, eyes scanning the area frantically. "What happened to the orc?"
"No more than it deserved" Elrohirs voice is cold and clipped, "it lies yonder" he nods to his right and the young man turns in that direction. Spotting the large creatures body lying a few paces away he rushes over. Black gore has oozed from a gaping wound in its neck and he watches impassionately as large, ebony flies swarm around it, covering themselves in the thick mess as they jostle each other to drink it up.
A little way from the orc a bloodstained bundle lays, unnaturally still in the undergrowth, only a few golden strands of hair spreading out from one end betraying the fact that it contains a living being. At least, Estel amends in his mind, he hopes it is still living. The young man kneels quickly and reaches out to loosen the rags carefully, exposing the pale skin of a face obscured by matted hair and dried blood. He is faintly aware of the approach of his brothers as his questing fingers seek for the pulsing beat in the elfs neck that will signify the existence of life and lets out a breath he is unaware he holds when they find it, albeit very faint and irregular. He looks up at his brothers and gives a brief smile, there is still hope after all.
"I will explain all, my brothers," his fingers still rest lightly on the beings cool skin "but this unfortunate needs our help first." The twins nod in agreement. They had also forgotten the elf in the heat of battle and now rush to make amends.
"We will need hot water" Elladan looks pointedly at Elrohir then kneels down beside his human brother.
"I had better see to a means of heating it then nin gwador, my brother" Elrohir bows in mock deference then begins foraging for wood with which to start a fire.
Bending to gather sticks the younger twins ears prick at the sound of a faint groan from his right. He looks up, then strides briskly over to the figure Estel had thought dead but who is now rising slowly to his knees in the grass with a dazed expression on his face. "What do we do with this one?" Taking hold of the mans hair and forcing his head back to meet his own hard gaze Elrohir feels utter contempt for the trembling figure at his feet. "Shall I rid the earth of this worthless edain!"he calls.
"Stay 'Roh" Elladan replies holding out one hand in emphasis then turns to his youngest brother. "Estel?" There is a whole sentence in the single name and the young man looks up from the wounded elf briefly.
"He is more use to us alive" Estel replies firmly and bends back to his task gently brushing away the once golden hair, to uncover the face of the unfortunate being wrapped so tightly before him, then gasps and pulls away his fingers as if burned by the ashen face revealed. " Legolas!"
Something pulls at me. A thought. A feeling. Unsure I gently reach out my senses, ready to spring back, ready to hide once more, yet I am drawn as a moth to a flame. The darkness fades to grey. A gentle breeze brushes me once more, a familiar presence enfolds me, comforting yet strong. Floating in a warm embrace I feel safe without the dark for the first time in what feels like forever. Dare I leave? Dare I risk the pain?
Grey becomes silver and soft sounds begin to filter through, so different from the harsh discordant notes before. Curiosity wins. Tentatively I climb from my haven, pushing away the dark blanket of peace that surrounds me. A word swims through the silver light, glistening like a fish through crystal water yet try as I might I am unable to catch it. I watch it bend and glide, almost within reach, closer, closer until it leaps and becomes clear. LEGOLAS! and then it dips and is gone.